No position on the field is more centered on offensive production instead of defensive prowess than first base. It’s often the place where good hitters with fielding limitations are sent. And even the best fielding first basemen have trouble making a dent on dWAR. Of the top 50 WAR for first basemen, 45 of them have a negative dWAR. However, eleven of the 28 members of the 500-home run club played at least 40% of their games at first base, more than any other single position. 

One note: I haven’t included Frank Thomas or Jim Thome, as fewer than half of their career starts were at first base. Had they played more first, they’d be included. And they’ll certainly be on a Top 10 Greatest DH list. 

Here are the top 10 Greatest First Basemen, alphabetically. 

Second base is known as the Keystone because it’sin the middle of the field, joining the right side and left side. Its importance in the field is shared by the player associated with it, the second baseman. Although typically thought of as a good glove, light bat position, some of the best second basemen in the history of the game have proven this assumption wrong. Not only have they provided consistent, reliable defense, but many of them have been a source of offensive production from a position where it’s not usually expected. Below are the best second basemen in the history of the game. Spoiler alert: Rod Carew isn’t on the list. His 81.2 career WAR, 3,053 hits, and .393 career OBP puts him near the top of any discussion of second basemen, but he actually started almost 100 more games at first than he did at second. So here are the top 10 second basemen, presented alphabetically. 

There are 19 catchers in the Hall of Fame. That total is the second-fewest by position players behind only third baseman (17). However, some of baseball’s most iconic defensive players and hitters have played behind the plate. We are going to break down the best catchers of all time, using statistics. Specifically, we will be looking at the leaders in Position Player WAR. This measurement considers baserunning, grounding into double plays (when in DP situations), and fielding. Additionally, WAR is adjusted by position. Catchers, for instance, generally have the lowest batting averages of all position players. Finally, replacement level runs (based on playing time) round out the considerations of WAR, which determines who is among the best catchers of all time. Here are the top 10 greatest catchers, in alphabetical order, according to WAR.

This list will reveal the best MLB players of all time, using statistics. Specifically, it considers career leaders in WAR. This measurement, simply put, measures a player’s value compared to a typical player that would replace him. Although The Negro Leagues Are Major Leagues, it should be noted that this list features only National League and American League players, partially because data is incomplete elsewhere.

Here are the top 25 greatest Major League Baseball players of all time, in alphabetical order, according to WAR:

There are 17 Hall of Fame third basemen. That total is fewer than any other position in baseball (with the exception of designated hitter). However, some of baseball’s best defensive players and power hitters have played at the “hot corner” of the baseball diamond. We are going to break down the best third basemen of all time, using statistics. Specifically, we will be looking at the leaders in Position Player WAR. This measurement considers baserunning, grounding into double plays (when in DP situations), and fielding. Additionally, WAR is adjusted by position. Third basemen, for example, generally have the lowest batting averages outside of catchers. Finally, replacement level runs (based on playing time) round out the considerations of WAR, which determines who is among the best third basemen of all time.

It should be noted that 3-Time American League MVP Álex Rodríguez’s career WAR of 117.6 would top this list of third basemen. However, A-Rod is not included here because he played most of his career at shortstop with both the Mariners and Rangers. It was not until joining the Yankees for the 2004 season that Rodríguez made his debut at third base to accommodate Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter.

Here are the top 10 greatest third basemen, in alphabetical order, according to WAR.

Outside of pitching and catching, shortstop is the most difficult position on the diamond, requiring a level of athleticism that is tough to maintain over an entire career. Some of the best ever shortstops have been elite hitters and solid defenders. Some have had lighter bats, but have more than made up for that with their outstanding play in the field. Who, then, are the greatest shortstops of all time based on WAR? Let’s take a look.